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It is important to protect your cats and dogs from potentially fatal diseases and viruses and to ensure they are not carriers. Also protects humans in the long term so that some of these diseases and viruses do not mutate. It is one of those things that should be a law but has not been done yet. Your pets will be clean in your home, fine if they lick you and perfect companions for children. They will also be protected should they need to be in a Kennels or Cattery holiday home when you are away. Always get your cat and dog neutered to keep down the population of strays and street animals. This helps to reduce the extent of some of these diseases.
Cats, kittens, dogs and puppies need to be vaccinated against serious diseases. Initial course of injections is usually complete at around 3 months of age. A booster is required every year to keep your cat and dog fully protected. |
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Cats
Rabies- spread by being bitten by carrier animal or rabied animal. Any mammals can contract rabies.
Prevention - Blood test to ensure not a carrier and is clear of disease and vaccination annually if travelling around Europe. Every 20 months if staying in one country.
Cat Leukemia (Feline Panleucopoenia) – deadly blood virus kills 1 in 5 of the cat population. Spread by saliva from bites by carrier cats or infected cats. Endemic in mainland Europe because of the amount of neglected, abandoned street and countryside cats which is a tragedy.
Prevention – Vaccination first then an annual regular booster to maintain immunity. When adopting a rescued cat have a blood test done to establish whether it is a carrier or has the disease, then it can be treated.
Cat Flu (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Feline Calicivirus) – deadly viruses. Spread from other cats.
Prevention – Vaccination then annual booster.
Babesia – spread by ticks.
Prevention – Use repellent such as ‘Frontline’ for cats
Worms – spread from other animals.
Prevention – ’Drontal’ powders/tablets OR ’Stronghold’ tablets by prescription every 3 months. Not required if protecting with 'Stronghold' externally monthly.
Ticks – Carry diseases by attaching their head into a blood vessel of animal. Also can carry Lyme disease.
Prevention - ‘Frontline’ or similar for cats available as a ‘vial’ pipette or in a spray format. Remove your cat’s collar and part their fur at the back of their neck so that 5 cm (2”) of skin shows. Pour the liquid from the ‘vial’ pipette carefully onto the skin. Stroke and pat your cat until this liquid has been completely absorbed. The liquid is extremely harmful to your cat if it tries to lick it. Put the collar back on when it is dry. This will protect your cat from fleas, ticks and mosquito bites for one month. So write on your calender the date for the next treatment and on the box mark the date of application.
Using ‘Frontline’ as a spray, wear gloves and be outdoors spray all over the back up to the neck and the root of the tail of your cat and massage in well until completely dry. The spray is extremely harmful to cats if it tries to lick it so ensure it is dry. ‘Stronghold’ tablets by prescription also protects against fleas and anything relating to the flea cycle. Giving protection from worms, internal intestinal parasites and external parasites and earmites. Cats cannot clean their ears so check regularly to see that they are clean otherwise visit your vet.
Lice
Earmites
Intestinal Parasites and External Parasites
Prevention - 'Stronghold' tablets by prescription every 3 months or 'Stronghold' vial externally monthly.
Dogs
Rabies- spread by being bitten by carrier animal or rabied animal.
Prevention - Blood test to ensure not a carrier and is clear of disease and vaccination annually if travelling around Europe. Every two years if staying in one country.
Heartworm – spread by mosquitoes. No cure and fatal.
Prevention – ‘Stronghold’ vaccination annually or vial prescribed by vet to suit weight of dog.
Remove your dog’s collar and part their fur at the back of their neck so that 5 cm (2”) of skin shows. Pour the liquid carefully onto the skin. Stroke and pat your dog until this liquid has been completely absorbed. The liquid is extremely harmful to your dog if it tries to lick it. Put the collar back on when it is dry. This will protect your dog from fleas and mosquito bites for one month. So write on your calender the date for the next treatment and on the box mark the date of application.
‘Stronghold’ also protects against fleas and anything relating to the flea cycle. Also in dogs gives protection from worms, internal intestinal parasites and external parasites and earmites. ‘Stronghold’ does not protect your dog from ticks so it is essential they wear a ‘Preventic’ tick prevention collar which last four months.
Leichmaniasis –spread by sandflies. No cure and fatal.
Prevention – Use repellant such as Advantix. New drug allopurinol can save a few dogs lives, long recuperation and care is needed.
Babesia – spread by ticks.
Prevention – Use repellant such as Advantix
Distemper
Canine Viral Hepatitus
Leptospirosis
Parvovirus - all serious diseases
Prevention – Vaccinations then annual boosters.
Hard Paw
Protection – Vaccinated once when they are puppies before being allowed on public streets.
Fleas – Carry diseases.
Prevention - See ‘Stronghold’ information above. Another option is ‘Frontline’ monthly used in the same way as ‘Stronghold’. Prescribed by your local vet. Dog fleas are only passed between other dogs not humans.
Ticks – Carry diseases including Babesia and Lyme disease.
Prevention – ‘Preventic’ or ‘Virbac’ collar for dogs which needs replacing every 4 months. Use repellant such as ‘Advantix’ for dogs only and ‘Frontline’ or similar for cats.
Mosquitos – Carry diseases including Heartworm.
Sandflies – Carry diseases including Leishmaniasis.
Prevention- Use repellant such as ‘Advantix’
Worms
Internal parasites – spread from other animals.
Prevention – ’Drontal’ powders/tablets OR ’Stronghold’ vaccination annually or monthly vial prescribed by vet to suit weight of dog.Remove your dog’s collar and part their fur at the back of their neck so that 5 cm (2”) of skin shows. Pour the liquid carefully onto the skin. Stroke and pat your dog until this liquid has been completely absorbed. The liquid is extremely harmful to your dog if it tries to lick it. Put the collar back on when it is dry. This will protect your dog from fleas, ticks and mosquito bites for one month. So write on your calender the date for the next treatment and on the box mark the date of application.
Lice
Earmites
Internal & External Parasites
Prevention - ’Stronghold’ vaccination annually or monthly vial pipette prescribed by vet to suit weight of dog. Remove your dog’s collar and part their fur at the back of their neck so that 5 cm (2”) of skin shows. Pour the liquid carefully onto the skin. Stroke and pat your dog until this liquid has been completely absorbed. The liquid is extremely harmful to your dog if it tries to lick it. Put the collar back on when it is dry. This will protect your dog from fleas, ticks and mosquito bites for one month. So write on your calender the date for the next treatment and on the box mark the date of application.
Insect deterrants
Grooming - Do every day for long hair dogs and weekly or more often for short haired dogs. Bath a dog four times a year and give a short haircut for the longer haired dogs in preparation for hotter weather in July and August. Your vet will recommend a Grooming service or visit Paginas Amarillas (Yellow Pages). Groom cats weekly, daily if they have long hair.
Tip: A few drops of lavender oil or cedar essential oils (available from Health Shops or from the internet under Aromatherapy) on soft furnishings, carpets and your pet’s bedding can be used as an insect deterrent. Using cedar wood to line bedding is also an insect deterrent. Dogs cannot clean themselves they are completely reliant on human beings so it is important to brush and comb your dog weekly or daily to keep their coat glossy and free of tangles, checking that the part of the ears that you can see is clean. A percentage of cats and dogs are allergic to flea bites. Wash pet bedding frequently and vacuum sofas and rugs thoroughly.
Conclusion
Puppies and kittens need vaccinations over a period of 12 weeks then annual boosters for all the above.
Yearly – Boosters for all the above. Don’t forget Rabies and Heartworm boosters.
Four Months – Tick prevention collar
Bath and hair cut (if long haired)
Worm prevention powders (if not using ‘Stronghold’)
Monthly – ‘Stronghold’ or ‘Frontline’ (Frontline is not as powerful as Stronghold)
Weekly – Grooming
Daily- Grooming, fresh water, food, walks and a game.
Special breed dogs can cost 500 euros and more. If you are fortunate to get a puppy or adopt a dog free the following annual costs will still apply.
Special breed cats can cost 300 euros and more. If you are fortunate to get a kitten or adopt a cat free the following annual costs will still apply.
Neutering males between 50 – 100 euros, females between 120-190 euros.
Microchip 60 – 100 euros
Budget for a minimum of 300 euros yearly for all vaccination boosters, flea and tick treatments and professional grooming. An average of 6 euros a week to own your cat and dog and keep them healthy. Cats can live up to the age of 20 years. Dogs 15 years. Food, bedding, lead and collar, identity disc , kennels and cattery fees will be extra.
A cat and dog are very good value and valuable assets to your family helping you get more exercise and giving you their unconditional love, well worth every cent.
If unsure of any treatments please ask your Vet to explain exactly what they do and how much and how often to administer some of these drugs. The Cadiz Hospital and many Vets have English speaking staff.
Any questions always ask your local vet.
Please visit Vet page for addresses of ones closest to you. |
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